NUTRITION EDUCATION
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Nutrition Education program alleviates food insecurity and addresses the root causes of hunger by sharing knowledge for healthy living and teaching skills for self-sufficiency. For more information on each of our classes, please contact our Nutrition Education team here at Clark County Food Bank.
COOKING MATTERS
Cooking Matters is a national, research based cooking and nutrition curriculum. Throughout the course participants learn about healthy eating, strategies for grocery shopping and meal planning, food safety, and basic cooking skills. By the end of the course, participants are confident in their ability to shop for healthy foods on a budget and prepare healthy, affordable, home cooked meals leading to an increase in food security and self-sufficiency.
Following each of the classes, participants take home a bag of groceries to practice the cooking skills they learned in class.
Cooking Matters is offered at Clark County Food Bank and in partnership with other community organizations at various locations throughout Clark County.
GROCERY STORE TOURS
These one-time grocery store tours cover the basics of eating healthy on a budget. Participants meet at the Winco grocery store on Andresen, and walk through the aisles with a Nutrition Educator who shares tips and tricks for choosing healthy foods while grocery shopping on a budget.
Following the grocery store tour, participants will be given a $15 gift card to practice the skills they just learned.
SEED TO SUPPER
Seed to Supper is a comprehensive beginning gardening course that gives novice adult gardeners the tools they need to successfully grow a portion of their own food on a limited budget. From starting seeds to harvesting vegetables, this course will help participants get started on your gardening journey.
Seed to Supper is offered at Clark County Food Bank and in collaboration with host agencies throughout Clark County.
STUDENT NUTRITION AND COOKING (SNAC)
SNAC is a cooking and nutrition program specifically designed for middle school students. Through activities and hands-on recipe preparation, teens learn the basics of healthy eating that is both affordable and delicious. This program aims to increase confidence in the kitchen and equip teens with valuable life skills for independence and good health.
SNAC classes are offered at several middle schools throughout Vancouver and Evergreen school districts, as well as at multiple teen centers in Clark County.
COOKING AND GARDENING WORKSHOPS
Nutrition Education workshops cover a wide range of cooking, nutrition and gardening workshops with the focus on healthy eating on a budget. These workshops will focus on specific topics that provide a more advanced level of nutrition knowledge and kitchen skills.
HEALTHY PANTRY PROJECT
This is a collaboration of our partner agencies with the goal of encouraging food pantry clients to make healthy choices while shopping at the pantry and while cooking at home. Activities include: facilitation of cooking demonstrations and samples for clients to encourage use of unfamiliar foods, recipe development and distribution, and leading training sessions for pantry volunteers.
Join the Effort in Serving Clark County
Do you have a passion for cooking, gardening, and nutrition? Then becoming a Nutrition Education volunteer might be a great fit for you! Opportunities include helping with nutrition workshops, gardening events, cooking classes, and grocery store tours.